'Neither, thanks. Though in either case I would come to you without hesitation. The fact is—' and I explained to him my difficulty in providing for Marie, without, however, going into other matters, or giving him any account of my troubles.
When I ended, Belin said. 'What you want, then, is a trustworthy fellow.'
'At least that is what Jacques wants. I can get on well enough.'
'Morbleu! It is more than I could; but, as it happens, I have the very thing for you. Pull that bell-rope behind you, will you? and oblige a lazy man.'
I did so, and in a minute or so Vallon appeared, wiping his mouth suspiciously with the back of his hand.
'Vallon,' said de Belin, 'does Ravaillac continue to work satisfactorily?'
'As ever, monsieur le compte.'
'Well, I am going to lend him to the Chevalier, who has need of his services.'
'Monsieur.'
'Send him up here, and Bisson, too.'